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“No, I was going to do the same thing,” he said. “I need to find somewhere that takes dogs.”

“I can do some research tonight and try to book something,” she offered. “I’m also happy to take turns driving, if you want. I wouldn’t want you to overdo it with your injuries.”

He gave her a look that said he doubted she could wrestle the steering wheel away from him even if she tried, but he nodded. “Sounds good.”

“I guess we’d better go in and pack,” she said. “Thanks for your help with the snowman.”

“Anytime.” He whistled softly to the dog and opened the truck door, steadying Kodiak’s back end with gentle hands as the dog hopped up.

She had to swallow hard at the easy way he cared for the injured animal.

He had just closed the truck passenger door when headlights swept around the corner, cutting a bright arc across the yard.

Her smile slid away. A familiar, unwelcome prickle danced along the back of her neck.

A black pickup rolled slowly past.

“Isn’t that the same truck we saw parked on the street the other night?” Wes asked, his voice suddenly sharper.

She forced herself not to stiffen. “Maybe.”

She decided, in that instant, not to tell him she had also seen it at the Shelter Inn.

“Not sure,” she added, aiming for casual.

He narrowed his eyes, tracking the vehicle until it settled. Something in his expression shifted, a faint hardening of lines that reminded her clearly that he was a tough, seasoned police officer who had spent the past decade-plus seeing things she couldn’t imagine.

“You really don’t know who it is?” he asked.

“No idea,” she said. “Probably just someone visiting a friend. Shelter Springs is relatively small, but there are still plenty of people I don’t know. And they all know plenty of other people I don’t know.”

He made a face that suggested he didn’t entirely buy her logic, but he nodded slowly anyway.

“I don’t like it,” he said. “Those windows are tinted darker than they should be. Do you want to call your friends at the police department and ask them to be on the lookout?”

“I’ll do that,” she said.

He didn’t look convinced, but he gave her one last, searching glance. “Seven o’clock,” he reminded her. “Text me if you change your mind.”

She watched him drive away for a moment, then called to the children to go inside. As she herded them through the door, the soft hum of an engine drew her to the small window by the front entry.

The black truck cruised past again, slower this time, and she caught her breath.

This was ridiculous. She did not have a stalker. She lived a completely low-risk life. She had no old boyfriends harboring unrequited passion. Of that she was absolutely certain.

Wes certainly wasn’t harboring any such thing.

The thought jabbed at her. She blew out a breath and turned away from the window. She had too much to do tonight to waste time on imaginary drama.

The children were ecstatic at the prospect of seeing their mother, even after she gently warned them they would have to wear masks and gloves.

“I don’t care,” Riley said, chin wobbling despite her brave tone. “I just want to see her again. I miss her so much.”

“I know, sweetheart,” Hannah said, pulling her close. Carter burrowed into her side as well, small arms wrapping around her waist. She held them both, wishing she could squeeze the anxiety right out of their small bodies.

Later, after baths and pajamas and one extra story each, she tucked them into bed with promises of an early start and a very special day.

As soon as she stepped into the hallway, her phone buzzed.